~June~
11) Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington
12) That Time I Joined the Circus by J.J. Howard
13) Insomnia by J.R. Johansson
14) Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey
15) A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee
16) The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
17) The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder
18) Some Quiet Place by Kelsey Sutton
19) The Boy on the Bridge by Natalie Standiford

Monday, January 31, 2011

Telephoto lens. Zoom. In a shutter release millisecond, Blake’s world turns upside down. The nameless woman with the snake tattoo is not just another assignment. “That’s my mom!” gasps Marissa.

Click.

Saturated self-portrait: Blake, nice guy, class clown, always trying to get a laugh, not sure where to focus.

Click.

Contrast. Shannon, Blake’s GF. Total. Babe. Marissa, just a friend and fellow photographer. Shannon loves him; Marissa needs him. How is he supposed to frame them both in one shot?

Click.

Chiaroscuro. Lightdark. Marissa again, overexposed. Crash and burn.

Talk about negative space.

Click.

ReviewHumorous, honest, and full of photographic awesomeness, Flash Burnout is a fast-paced, page-turner of a story and I did not want to put it down.

Blake was a blunt, realistic, and hilarious riot of a character who's personality rang brilliantly true. I connected with him immediately and even when he would make some not-so-wise decisions, I still couldn't help hoping everything would turn out alright for him in the end. Shannon, Blake's girlfriend, was a bit to hot-and-cold for me at times and while she was a great supporting character, I didn't really feel much connection with her. Marissa, Blake's friend, on the other hand, I really loved. She was funny, fairly laid back, when she wasn't having to deal with her mom, and an all-around dynamic, well developed character. I have to admit though, what she did at the end took me for quite a shock. Garrett, Blake's brother, and Cappie, Garrett's *sings Secret Lover*, were two surprising and well done supporting characters. Garrett starts out as a real jerk but I get to see the softer side of him slowly revealed throughout the book. He really is just like an older brother in that he teases Blake mercilessly but, when it really counts, he's sure to have Blake's back. Cappie is a roaring...well...bitch, to put it quite frankly; while I hated her at first, I got this glimmer of nice-ness from her towards the end and she kinda grew on me. Plus, she definitely spiced things up. I also thought that Blake's parents were very believable and I was glad to see they frequented the story.

Flash Burnout had a very well-crafted and keenly-imagined story line. The quick pacing never faltered and I never once felt as though the plot were dragging. While some of the twists were a bit, I'd like to think, inevitable, they still caught me off guard even when I saw them coming. I absolutely loved the huge role photography played and it has left me feeling inspired, something I haven't felt about my photography in a long time. Each chapter starts off with either a quote from a photographer, photography book, or a definition from Blake's photography homework. I could tell Madigan probably thought a lot about what was chosen to head up each chapter and her hard work showed. The two playlists at the end were also a welcome addition. Now I've got some new songs to find.

I'm very impressed to see how varied L.K. Madigan's writing styles can be. In The Mermaid's Mirror the writing was beautiful and flow-y; however, in Flash Burnout, Madigan's writing style proved to a bit grittier as well as cunning. She used a first person narrative this time and I'm so glad she did. One thing that is pleasantly consistent about her writing style though is the authenticity of the context and dialogue. Also, with both books, the protagonists' family has been very obviously 'there', unlike in a lot of YA books these days. I can tell this is a woman who deeply loves and cares about her family and I feel that really shines through in her writing.

I was not a big fan of the ending and I feel that it is the one thing that kept me from absolutely loving this book. Everything just felt so unsettled and unresolved for me. I haven't heard anything about there being plans for a sequel. If there was going to be a sequel, preferably from Marissa's view point, I probably would have really liked the ending, but instead I'm just left wondering. Though I have to admit, there is still a part of me that kind of likes the roughness of the ending. Sometimes that's just how things are in life but I can't help wanting more.

Flash Burnout is a witty, bittersweet story that I would very highly recommend to guys and gals alike. It's not hard at all to see why Madigan was awarded the William C. Morris Debut Award for this excellent novel! I'll definitely be reading this one again in the future.

If this review has got you wanting to read this great book and you are considering buying it, which I recommend, you'll want to check out this CONTEST on my blog to support L.K. Madigan. There are some totally fab prizes you can win!

Sorry there is no vlog this week. Just felt kinda lousy today as I was up really late last night reading. Not only did I get some great books in the mail but I also received two very happy-making letters. The first was from Berry College saying I'd been accepted, which I'd already found out a few days before but was waiting for the actual letter. Berry College is not only my #1 choice but the only college I applied to. The second letter was also from Berry saying I'd been awarded an academic scholarship. So yes, it was a very happy mail week for me this week! :D Hope you all got some awesome stuff in your mailboxes as well. :D

Friday, January 28, 2011

Synopsis via GoodreadsLena has lived her whole life near the beach — walking for miles up and down the shore and breathing the salty air, swimming in the cold water, and watching the surfers rule the waves — the problem is, she’s spent her whole life just watching.As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Lena vows she will no longer watch from the sand: she will learn to surf.

But her father — a former surfer himself — refuses to allow her to take lessons. After his near drowning years ago, he can’t bear to let Lena take up the risky sport.

Yet something keeps drawing Lena to the water . . . an ancient, powerful magic. And one morning Lena catches sight of this magic: a beautiful woman — with a silvery tail.

Now nothing can stop Lena from seeking the mermaid, not even the dangerous waves at Magic Crescent Cove.

And soon . . . what she sees in the mermaid’s mirror will change her life forever.

Noteworthy Passages

Lena & Cole; pg. 40"Lena," persisted Cole. "What do you want to be when you grow up?"Her parents and Grandma Kath had stopped talking and were looking at her now. Lena raised her eyebrows at them and said to Cole, "Happy."

Narrator; pg. 151A feeling of loneliness washed over her.Pem's world revolved around very human concerns like friends and school and Max. Lena's world had become a tangle of broken sleep and waking dreams...voices in her head and mermaids in the water...locks and keys and calls from the sea.

Narrator; pg. 223A fleeting image of a child with blue eyes...a memory of someone calling her name through the night...then the hypnotic rocking of the sea drew those thoughts away from her, gently, insistently.Lena raised a hand to her brow, as if to hold her thoughts inside her head. It's like my memories are getting washed away, she thought.

~~~~~~~~~

The Mermaid's Mirror is such a beautiful story and I hope these passages have encouraged you to pick it up, maybe even buy it. For more on my thoughts, you can read my Review.

And remember, if you buy The Mermaid's Mirror and/or Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan then you are eligible for my very awesome contest!

Thanks for stopping by. :D

PLEASE NOTE: This is a feature hosted here at my blog in which I present you with selected passages or quotes that I deem Noteworthy from a book I've just reviewed. My hopes are of course, that these passages will make you want to pick the book up and read it. This feature was started and created by me in January in hopes of making my blog more unique. That being said, I would like to kindly request that you do not use this feature as it was intended to be for my blog only and is not a meme. If you see some one else using it, please know it is without my permission. Thank you.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Synopsis via GoodreadsLena has lived her whole life near the beach — walking for miles up and down the shore and breathing the salty air, swimming in the cold water, and watching the surfers rule the waves — the problem is, she’s spent her whole life just watching.As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Lena vows she will no longer watch from the sand: she will learn to surf.

But her father — a former surfer himself — refuses to allow her to take lessons. After his near drowning years ago, he can’t bear to let Lena take up the risky sport.

Yet something keeps drawing Lena to the water . . . an ancient, powerful magic. And one morning Lena catches sight of this magic: a beautiful woman — with a silvery tail.

Now nothing can stop Lena from seeking the mermaid, not even the dangerous waves at Magic Crescent Cove.

And soon . . . what she sees in the mermaid’s mirror will change her life forever.

ReviewEnchanting and heartfelt, The Mermaid's Mirror is unlike anything I have ever read before; L.K. Madigan did a lovely job crafting this luminous story.

I think the only actual problem I had with this book was the protagonist, Lena. Don't get me wrong, I liked her well enough and I felt her emotions and actions were very raw and realistic. My problem was that I felt like I didn't get quite enough personality out of her. I think if Madigan had used a first person perspective, I might could have gotten a better sense of Lena and connected with her more efficiently. I did love her bond with her family though and thought that was something that was very keenly done. While Lena's family wasn't perfect, I mean they obviously had their problems, I loved how close Lena was to them and how involved they were in her life and the story overall. So many books where the protagonist has a step mom, they are like mortal enemies or distant from each other emotionally. None of that nonsense here though and I was glad to see how close Lena was to her step-mom, Allie, and until it was actually mentioned that Allie was her step-mom, I would have never guessed it. I also really loved Lena's father and little brother, Cole. Pem, Kai, Melusine, and Lorelei were also among some of the other great supporting characters. Would embellish further on the various supporting characters but think you'd probably rather I didn't if you plan to read this.

One of the many things that I love about The Mermaid's Mirror is how the plot builds and develops throughout the story. In the beginning, there wasn't a lot of action and the fantastical element was more minimal and yet I never felt bored as the story constantly captivated my attention. As the story progressed the fantasy element grew more and more and by the last third of the book, Madigan had gradually introduced me to and immersed me in one of the most magical worlds I've ever been in. There was one key detail in this book that I had figured out from the beginning but that didn't seem to prevent me from enjoying it and the rest of the book was decidedly unpredictable. The thing is though, I never felt like I had to try and get ahead of myself and discover plot twists beforehand. The Mermaid's Mirror was one of those books that just had me going with the flow and relishing what I was reading when I was reading it, letting everything else just come to me in its own time.

I could easily sum up Madigan's writing style in one word. Beautiful! Her writing was lyrical and emotionally wrought and possessed such vivid use of imagery. However, as mentioned before, I do feel the third person narrative kept me from connecting with Lena more than I did but other than that, I loved it.

While the epilogue for The Mermaid's Mirror was relatively happy, the ending overall was heartbreaking in more ways than one. While I thought the decision Lena had to face was unfair, life is like that sometimes and I feel that what happened was almost inevitable, though that doesn't exactly make me happy about it. While The Mermaid's Mirror can stand alone, the ending leaves off in a way that says, "Don't worry, there is more to this story. We're not quite done yet." Right now, I'm just praying to God with all my heart that Madigan will be able to give this book the sequel it deserves and that she has planned for it.

All in all, The Mermaid's Mirror is a radiant, touching story that beautifully twines together both coming-of-age aspects and mythical elements. I would highly recommend this unique and refreshing read to anyone; I know I'll sure be reading it again in the future. I have already started, and am greatly enjoying, L.K. Madigan's first YA novel, Flash Burnout. This woman has got some serious talent and she is in my prayers as she battles cancer. Frankly, cancer is really starting to piss me off and it needs to pack its bags and leave this wonderful author the heck alone. Probably not the most professional way to end this review but I've never really been one to always go along with what is deemed 'professional'.

If this review has got you wanting to read this lovely book and you are considering buying it, which I recommend, you'll want to check out thisCONTESTon my blog to support L.K. Madigan. There are some totally fab prizes you can win!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Disclaimer: Please note that this is an ARC and passages and quotes below are subject to change in the final copy.

Synopsis via GoodreadsTruth or Lies?

Lidda knew, with a clarity that was like a candle in a dark room, that all had changed; something was loosed in the village—Devil or not—and they would pay for it, every last man, woman, and child.

Fourteen-year-old Lidda has always known she was different. She longs to escape Salem Village and its stifling rules—to be free to dance, to sing, to live as she chooses. But when a plague of accusations descends on the village and witch fever erupts, L idda begins to realize that she feels and sees things that others can't, or won't. But how will she expose the truth without being hung as a witch herself?

Gripping and emotional, Ann Turner's retelling of the Salem witch trials captures one girl's brave soul-searching amidst a backdrop of fear and blame.

Noteworthy Passages

Lidda and Lucian; pg. 41-42It did not matter anyway; whatever happened, she could not outrun this...Lucian.It is foolish to try, girl.Lidda pressed her mittened hands to her cheeks, forcing them up so the world came in as a slit sky, trees, and snow. With a sob, she let her hands go, then swallowed the next cry. He would not like weakness, of that she was sure. The voice inside was mocking, cutting, as if he was just waiting for her to come to her senses.

Lidda and Lucian; pg. 153If she had her way, she would be dancing along the street in a red embroidered waistcoat like Goody Bishop, throwing her arms out to the sky and calling down those colored notes of the raucous, entirely unsuitable but oh-so-delicious song that Lucian was singing.She could sense him twirling inside, dipping and rising, then bending in a graceful arc. Biting her lower lip, Lidda looked at Charity's beloved face, her tight eyes, and tried to still the dancing within.Oh, go on, girl, you want to dance!No, not here, not now, she answered silently.

Lidda; pg. 234From a tree overhead, a vivid red bird took flight, seeming to carry all of her desire for a wild and free life, full or color and vibrancy, a life free of this stifling village. Wind rustled the leaves, sending them spinning in the clear light. Rimming the edge of each green leaf was a radiance, as if light itself were flowing out of every leaf.Light. Everywhere. She held up one hand, turning it slowly back and forth. Her fingers blazed with it. Even the sky contained it--arcs of brilliant color--red, purple, and gold, sliding into drops like rain.

~~~~~~~~

Isn't that just beautiful writing?! Almost slightly haunting at times too. I thought Ann Turner did a great job writing this novel and I hope you all enjoyed the passages I picked. You can read myReviewif you would like to know more on what I thought.

Thanks for stopping by and as always, remember I greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts. :D

PLEASE NOTE: This is a feature hosted here at my blog in which I present you with selected passages or quotes that I deem Noteworthy from a book I've just reviewed. My hopes are of course, that these passages will make you want to pick the book up and read it. This feature was started and created by me in January in hopes of making my blog more unique. That being said, I would like to kindly request that you do not use this feature as it was intended to be for my blog only and is not a meme. If you see some one else using it, please know it is without my permission. Thank you.

Lidda knew, with a clarity that was like a candle in a dark room, that all had changed; something was loosed in the village—Devil or not—and they would pay for it, every last man, woman, and child.

Fourteen-year-old Lidda has always known she was different. She longs to escape Salem Village and its stifling rules—to be free to dance, to sing, to live as she chooses. But when a plague of accusations descends on the village and witch fever erupts, L idda begins to realize that she feels and sees things that others can't, or won't. But how will she expose the truth without being hung as a witch herself?

Gripping and emotional, Ann Turner's retelling of the Salem witch trials captures one girl's brave soul-searching amidst a backdrop of fear and blame.

Review Darkly intriguing and keenly wrought, Father of Lies is an emotional and insightfully woven blend of historical fact and fiction.

Lidda was a very unique and brave heroine that I found myself absolutely captivated by. She is both blessed and haunted with the hallucination of a voice in her head who goes by the name of Lucian. Though Lidda is already wiser than most, Lucian helps her to easily distinguish the difference between the truth and the lies involving the travesties unfolding. Lidda always knew something about her just wasn't quite right compared to the other girls of Salem, and yet I loved how she grew to embrace her individuality rather than trying to smolder it with conformity. Then Lucian was just so intensely alluring and it was easy to see how Lidda came to enjoy his presence. As to whether Lucian was real or not is left up to your own interpretation. Technically and medically speaking it would be said that he was merely a figment of Lidda's imagination brought on by a mental illness, but who are we to say what is real and what is not? I personally prefer to think and believe that Lucian was more than a simple hallucination.

While Father of Lies is only the second book I can recall reading concerning the Salem Witch Trials, I am finding myself to be continuously fascinated by this grim and wicked time in history. Though Lidda and her family are fictional, the rest of the book is based in fact with only a couple of things such as the timeline being altered for 'plotting purposes'. I can remember automatically recognizing some of the characters such as the Reverend, Betty, Ann, etc from having read Wicked Girls a while back. I found I liked getting a different perspective on these characters via Lidda's point of view. I found Father of Lies to be curiously enticing in a way no other book I've read before has been. I think this really had a lot to do with Lidda and Lucian.

The writing was beautifully descriptive and well-crafted, making it easy for me to picture myself in Lidda's shoes. Turner's writing also had that air of authenticity about it. She definitely did her research and made sure to include necessary, additional information at the end.

Father of Lies had a lovely yet bittersweet ending that I thought fit this story perfectly. I really don't know what else to say about it without giving anything away.

All in all, Father of Lies is a powerful story that shows just how dangerous the truth can sometimes be, especially when people would much rather believe the lies. Turner really did an impressive job crafting this novel and I would highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction. Also, if you enjoyed Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill, then I really think you would find yourself thoroughly engaged in this book should you decide to read it. I know Father of Lies is definitely one I'll be reading again in the future.

Synopsis via GoodreadsIn this inventive, short, yet perfectly formed novel inspired by traditional Norse mythology, Neil Gaiman takes readers on a wild and magical trip to the land of giants and gods and back.

In a village in ancient Norway lives a boy named Odd, and he's had some very bad luck: His father perished in a Viking expedition; a tree fell on and shattered his leg; the endless freezing winter is making villagers dangerously grumpy.

Out in the forest Odd encounters a bear, a fox, and an eagle—three creatures with a strange story to tell.

Now Odd is forced on a stranger journey than he had imagined—a journey to save Asgard, city of the gods, from the Frost Giants who have invaded it.

It's going to take a very special kind of twelve-year-old boy to outwit the Frost Giants, restore peace to the city of gods, and end the long winter.

Someone cheerful and infuriating and clever...

Someone just like Odd.

Noteworthy Passages

Narrator; pg. 58Really, truly, with all of his heart, Odd found that he wanted to believe that he was still in the world he had known all his life. That he was still in the country of the Norse folk, that he was in Midgard. Only he wasn't, and he knew it. The world smelled different for a start. It smelled alive. Everything he looked at looked sharper, more real, more there.

~~~~~~~~~

Odd and the Frost Giants was a great MG read. To find out more on my thoughts about it you can check out my Review.

Thanks for dropping by. :D

PLEASE NOTE: This is a feature hosted here at my blog in which I present you with selected passages or quotes that I deem Noteworthy from a book I've just reviewed. My hopes are of course, that these passages will make you want to pick the book up and read it. This feature was started and created by me in January in hopes of making my blog more unique. That being said, I would like to kindly request that you do not use this feature as it was intended to be for my blog only and is not a meme. If you see some one else using it, please know it is without my permission. Thank you.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Synopsis via GoodreadsIn this inventive, short, yet perfectly formed novel inspired by traditional Norse mythology, Neil Gaiman takes readers on a wild and magical trip to the land of giants and gods and back.

In a village in ancient Norway lives a boy named Odd, and he's had some very bad luck: His father perished in a Viking expedition; a tree fell on and shattered his leg; the endless freezing winter is making villagers dangerously grumpy.

Out in the forest Odd encounters a bear, a fox, and an eagle—three creatures with a strange story to tell.

Now Odd is forced on a stranger journey than he had imagined—a journey to save Asgard, city of the gods, from the Frost Giants who have invaded it.

It's going to take a very special kind of twelve-year-old boy to outwit the Frost Giants, restore peace to the city of gods, and end the long winter.

Someone cheerful and infuriating and clever...

Someone just like Odd.

ReviewOdd and the Frost Giants was a quick and simple yet fun and adventurous story that I think would greatly appeal to younger readers.

Odd was indeed an odd sort of boy but I couldn't help but love him. He was determined, never let anything get him down, and even in what would be his scariest moments, his sense of humor never failed him. For that, I found Odd to be a very admirable hero for this story. Next we have the bear, Thor, the fox, Loki, and the eagle, Lord Odin. Loki was easily my favorite of the three; with his sly and slightly arrogant mannerisms, he was both a funny and amusing character. Thor was a bit of a grump and understandably so. I mean, if I'd been a powerful God who'd been transformed into a bear and banished from my kingdom, I'd be grumpy too. Yet even in his frustration and irritability concerning their present situation, humor still shone through. While I didn't dislike Lord Odin, he didn't exactly say much so it was a little more difficult to really get a sense of his personality. As for the Frost Giant, despite being the bad guy of the story, he was suffering in his own way and I found myself actually feeling sympathy for his predicament.

Odd and the Frost Giants was a delightful combination of mythology and adventure. I'll admit, I was worried how the plot development would fair considering this book's short length. Surprisingly though, everything seemed to fit into the 117 pages perfectly and the pacing was very well balanced. There was never a dull moment in the plot and I was glad to see it hadn't been made more complicated than need be. I actually enjoyed the simplicity of it, making it a relaxing and entertaining read.

In the beginning, I wasn't all too sure how well I liked Gaiman's writing style. I had to remind myself that this story was written and intended for a much younger audience than my eighteen-year-old self. Once my brain grasped firm hold of that fact, I found that I actually liked the writing. It also turned out to be very descriptive, painting the world Gaiman had created vividly into my mind. Not to mention, I felt the third-person narrative benefited this story as it gave me that feeling of sitting around a camp fire and being told this age old folk tale by a very wise elder.

The ending drew this story to a close quite well and I don't think the ending could have been written in a way that would have suited this book better.

I thought Helquist did a wonderful job on the illustrations. They had this beautiful imperfection about them and I loved the almost scratchy quality of the lines. I kept wondering how all those little lines and marks could pull together to form such a lovely and detailed image; I know I certainly couldn't do it. The shading was also very well done.

All in all, Odd and the Frost Giants is a great book to kick back and escape into, even if only for a little while. Gaiman sure knows how to create and tell a good story and I think this is one that will be loved by middle graders and even us older folks. :P Because it is so short and quick to read, I can easily see my self delving into this book several more times over the coming years and I do recommend it. I can't wait to get my hand on Neil Gaiman's, The Graveyard Book.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Will Work for Prom Dress (ARC) by Aimee FerrisPublisher: EgmontUSAPub. Date: February 8th, 2011Pages: 240Age Level: 13+Source: For review from publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Please note that this is an ARC and passages below are subject to change in the final copy.

Synopsis via GoodreadsQuigley Johnson has, reluctantly, given up the rest of her last year of high school to take part in her best friend Ann's Betterment Plan, which will turn them into the best-dressed, most sought-after, most admired girls at their senior formal. Because - hey - who doesn't want the perfect prom, complete with a dream dress and a devastatingly handsome date?

But the prom costs money - lots of money - and even though the girls could easily have Ann's mom design their dresses (she's only Victoria Parisi, one of the most famous designers in the world), Ann insists that they pay their own way. And that's how Quigley gets stuck making artistic topping masterpieces on frozen pizzas canvases, before becoming a live model for Ms. Parisi's fashion design class, where she meets Zander.

He's cute, and cool, and funny, with a killer design sensibility (even if he can't sketch). But is he too good to be true? And what about David, the hot, talented artist at school, who's also kind of a jerk, but won't leave Quigley alone? And Ann - she started the Betterment Plan to improve Quigley and herself, but it seems like it's ripping their friendship to shreds.

This road to the prom dream may just end in disaster.

Noteworthy Passages

Quigley; pg. 61My parents' world was so solidly black and white, they could never understand that life played across my canvas in a hundred shades of charcoal gray.

Zander; pg. 173"Well, sometimes you expect Lemon Yellow and life gives you Burnt Sienna. You still have to make the best picture you can with what you've got," said Zander.

~~~~~~~~~

Will Work for Prom Dress was a really lovely novel and I think it is something most anyone could enjoy. I hope the passages I selected will encourage you to pick this book up as soon as it is released and read it. For more on my thoughts, check out my Review.

As always, thanks for stopping by. :D

PLEASE NOTE: This is a feature hosted here at my blog in which I present you with selected passages or quotes that I deem Noteworthy from a book I've just reviewed. My hopes are of course, that these passages will make you want to pick the book up and read it. This feature was started and created by me in January in hopes of making my blog more unique. That being said, I would like to kindly request that you do not use this feature as it was intended to be for my blog only and is not a meme. If you see some one else using it, please know it is without my permission. Thank you.

Will Work for Prom Dress (ARC) by Aimee FerrisPublisher: EgmontUSAPub. Date: February 8th, 2011Pages: 240Age Level: 13+Source: For review from publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis via GoodreadsQuigley Johnson has, reluctantly, given up the rest of her last year of high school to take part in her best friend Ann's Betterment Plan, which will turn them into the best-dressed, most sought-after, most admired girls at their senior formal. Because - hey - who doesn't want the perfect prom, complete with a dream dress and a devastatingly handsome date?

But the prom costs money - lots of money - and even though the girls could easily have Ann's mom design their dresses (she's only Victoria Parisi, one of the most famous designers in the world), Ann insists that they pay their own way. And that's how Quigley gets stuck making artistic topping masterpieces on frozen pizzas canvases, before becoming a live model for Ms. Parisi's fashion design class, where she meets Zander.

He's cute, and cool, and funny, with a killer design sensibility (even if he can't sketch). But is he too good to be true? And what about David, the hot, talented artist at school, who's also kind of a jerk, but won't leave Quigley alone? And Ann - she started the Betterment Plan to improve Quigley and herself, but it seems like it's ripping their friendship to shreds.

This road to the prom dream may just end in disaster.

ReviewWhen I picked up Will Work for Prom Dress, I was expecting a nice quick and fun read. What I was surprised to find, while indeed the book was quick and fun, was that Ferris had provided her novel with some subtle depth and meaning as well.

Will Work for Prom Dress has one of the best overall cast of characters I've come across in a long time. Even the supporting characters carried their own bit of complexity as well as both internal and external conflicts. Quigley was a humorous and realistic protagonist that I found myself able to connect with effortlessly. Her confusion over Zander and David as well as what she wanted out of life and her art was very well executed and believable. Anne, Quigley's outgoing and tease of a best friend, was a surprising character and while her problems weren't always center stage, she still had a lot that she was having to deal with emotionally, and I loved seeing how she developed throughout the book. As for Zander, he was funny and sweet and just beneath all of that was a strong guy who had had his fair share of misfortune and persevered through it all; I absolutely loved him for that. Then we have David, a somewhat confusing character, especially when it came to his motives, and even I'll admit that I found him to sometimes be unpredictable. In the end though, my original opinion of him proved true. Two characters with relatively small roles that I still feel I should mention are Anne's mom and The Spikester. Anne's mother was just a wonderful character to me and I really admired her. The Spikester was a perfect example of just how deceiving appearances can be.

The plot for Will Work for Prom Dress was keenly created, seamlessly tying together various elements including ones of friendship, family, romance, and self-discovery. While generally a light read, I found myself pleasantly caught off guard by the substance of the book; it wasn't all fluff and good times. Most of the story's conflicts went deeper than just finding a prom dress and date and yet the book never felt heavy or overwhelming. The eclectic incorporation of art from drawing, to photography, to clothing design was something else that also had me hopelessly entangled in the story.

There were a couple of times when the writing would seem a bit confusing, like I'd have to re-read over a passage to make sure my mind had processed everything right. However this was rare, and I found that the rest of Ferris' writing was pretty well crafted, perfectly paced, and witty and authentic in both dialogue and context.

The best thing about the ending was getting to see how far the characters had come since the beginning. I was very pleased by the decision Quigley made in the end and couldn't have been more happy for her.

All in all, Will Work for Prom Dress proved to be a delightful and lovable read and I am so glad I accepted it for review. I very highly recommend this one and can't wait to read more from Aimee Ferris as she did an excellent job on Will Work for Prom Dress. This is definitely a book I'll be reading again.

Friday, January 21, 2011

The False Princess (ARC) by Eilis O'NealPublisher: EgmontUSAPub. Date: January 25th, 2011Pages: 336Age Level: 11+Source: From publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Please note that this is an ARC and passages below are subject to change in the final copy.

Synopsis via GoodreadsPrincess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court. But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection. Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks. But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.

Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.

Noteworthy Passages

Sinda; pg. 77There might be nowhere I would be at home. I might always be straddling two worlds, and finding solace in neither.

Sinda; pg. 98I did not have all the pieces of myself intact, but the shattered ones lay quieter that they had in Treb, gradually being smoothed over so that they no longer cut me as often.

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The False Princess was a really enjoyable read and definitely a noteworthy one. If you'd like to find out more of my thoughts on it than you can read my Review.

Thanks for stopping by.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a feature hosted here at my blog in which I present you with selected passages or quotes that I deem Noteworthy from a book I've just reviewed. My hopes are of course, that these passages will make you want to pick the book up and read it. This feature was started and created by me in January in hopes of making my blog more unique. That being said, I would like to kindly request that you do not use this feature as it was intended to be for my blog only and is not a meme. If you see some one else using it, please know it is without my permission. Thank you.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Hello everyone. The other day I came across some startling and heartbreaking news. While lurking about on twitter, I saw a link to a contest for L.K. Madigan's books. While reading the post, I came across a part that said that Madigan had just posted some difficult news with a link to the post. What I found when I went to said post broke my heart and left tears pooling in my eyes.

For those of you who are not already aware, L.K. Madigan, YA author of Flash Burnout and The Mermaid's Mirror, has been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. To make matters worse, the cancer has already metastasized to her liver. You can read more about what's going on with Lisa here.

This brings me back to the contest I had seen. After reading Madigan's post I got to thinking, "Forget entering for the books. They are both high on my wishlist and I have a few extra bucks so I'll go ahead and buy them, save the contest for those who can't afford to buy the books at this time." And that's what I did. I promptly ordered hardcovers of both Flash Burnout and The Mermaid's Mirror from Amazon. I will be reading them and reviewing them as soon as they get here.

But simply spreading the word and buying her books didn't feel like quite enough for me. I kept thinking to myself, "I can do better than this. This author deserves every ounce of support I can give her." Up until my mom and I no longer had any form of transportation, we both held positions on the Relay for Life committee here, with me as their photographer and my mom as the advocacy chair. The pastor at my church had cancer, my old health teacher did, and many others I know so I have seen in person the toll cancer can take on a person, their family, their friends, and the community as a whole. And so was born a new contest to help draw in even more support for L.K. Madigan during this hard time for her and her family.

With the help of some very awesome people, I have managed to put together quite the prize pile for anyone who orders one or both of L.K. Madigan's books.

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Rules:1) Must order atleast one of L.K. Madigan's two books. Either Flash Burnout, The Mermaid's Mirror, or both. Buying both will earn you even more entries. As will spreading the word.Comments are appreciated as well though you must fill out one of the below forms for entry.

2) Book(s) must be purchased from an actual retailer such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository, Borders, etc. Books purchased from used book stores or through a third party seller will not be counted as the whole point of this is to support the author and authors make no money off said books.

3) You must email me some form of proof of purchase BEFORE entering. You can email it to me here: thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com (Can forward receipt or send picture of receipt if bought in a store.)4) Purchases must be as of Jan. 12th, the day Lisa's post went up, or later. Nothing before Jan. 12th will be valid.

5) Contest will end February 3rd at 11:59 PM EST.

6) US participants aren't eligible for the international prize, and vise versa, so please fill out the correct form.

Winners:5 US winners will win 4 prizes each from the prize pile. I will make sure each winner get's at least one of their top three choices.

One International Winner can get up to $25 worth of books from The Book Depository. (Make sure they ship to your country HERE.) (Thanks to Jenn who donated $15 to go towards this prize.)

For those of you who are unable to buy the books you can still help support L.K. Madigan. Cindy Pon and The Debutantes are having a contest for 40 sets of L.K. Madigan's books and you can enter to win them simply by spreading the word. Ends Jan. 31st. GoHEREto enter.

For those of you who can spare the money and buy the books, it is greatly appreciated! Regardless of how any of you choose to show your support, though, I hope that you will all keep L.K. Madigan and her family in your prayers and send her the best of wishes.

Monday, January 17, 2011

The False Princess (ARC) by Eilis O'NealPublisher: EgmontUSAPub. Date: January 25th, 2011Pages: 336Age Level: 11+Source: From publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis via GoodreadsPrincess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court. But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection. Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks. But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.

Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.

ReviewBrimming with both love and betrayal, The False Princess is an enchanting page-turner from debut YA author, Eilis O'Neal.

Sinda was a very well-developed and realistically complex character. When Sinda was told the truth about who she was and sent away, I at first viewed her poorly for not taking more of a stand against the king and queen. However, the more I thought about it the more I realized that, considering how she'd spent her whole life, she reacted in a way that most girls in her situation would have, too shocked to do anything. Sinda did, indeed, grow stronger as a character throughout the story though. Her doubts and confusion over whether she'd made the right decisions were believable, especially considering their importance. While her motives behind trying to set everything right again for Thorvaldor could sometimes be a bit muddled, even for her, I still admired her bravery and determination. Then we have Kiernan, the charming, somewhat bit of a trouble maker, and swoon-worthy best friend, turned romantic interest. He was always there for Sinda, despite everything, even when she didn't know it, and I really loved that loyalty in him. Philantha, the unorthodox master wizard, was a fun addition to the cast of characters despite her more minor role. There were other great supporting characters as well, including Mika, Orianne, and Melaina; however I feel to discuss them further could easily spoil the book, so I won't.

In the very beginning, the magical aspect of the plot didn't quite seem to merge well with the rest, instead feeling very separate as though the magic was something just thrown in here and there. However, as the story progressed, everything quickly pulled together quite fluidly. There were a lot of different elements to the plot but they were masterfully intertwined and I never felt overwhelmed. I loved the sense of mystery and adventure that The False Princess provided and while there was some stuff that I could guess, it managed to hold on to some clever surprise twists.

O'Neal's writing style was lovely, consistently engrossing, and beautifully descriptive. The intense emotion that I would feel at times when reading The False Princess was both unexpected and welcome. There were times when I found myself close to tears and I can truly say that, in that way, the writing really helped me connect more with the characters.

The ending was very bittersweet as well as hopeful and I felt that O'Neal drew everything to a close very efficiently.

All in all, The False Princess is a stunning and multi-faceted contribution to the YA historical fiction genre. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would highly recommend it to anyone, from upper middle graders to adults. I can't wait for Eilis O'Neal to come out with another book and I give her kudos for a job well done on her first novel.

That's it everyone. Since I only got two books I decided not to do a vlog. I am, however, really excited about the two books I got. Hope you all received some excellent goodies in your mailboxes as well. :D

Friday, January 14, 2011

Please note that this is an ARC and passages below are subject to change in the final copy.

Synopsis via GoodreadsSeventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life—and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

This remarkable debut is perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Francesca Lia Block. Just as much a celebration of love as it is a portrait of loss, Lennie's struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often hilarious, and ultimately unforgettable.

Noteworthy Passages

Lennie; pg. 12As I walk through the redwood trees, my sneakers sopping up days of rain, I wonder why bereaved people even bother with mourning clothes when grief itself provides such an unmistakable wardrobe.

Lennie and Big; pg. 135"Well, my expert opinion, which I draw from vast experience and five glorious, albeit flawed marriages, is that Lennie Walker aka John Lennon is out of her mind in love."Big and Gram are smiling down at me. I feel like Dorothy waking in her bed, surrounded by her Kansans after having been over the rainbow.

Lennie; pg. 210And it's just dawned on me that I might be the author of my own story, but so is everyone else the author of their own stories, and sometimes, like now, there's no overlap.

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The Sky is Every Where is, as a whole, a very noteworthy book so finding passages to share with you all wasn't hard. Hope you all enjoyed them and that these passages and my review will encourage you to pick this book up to read.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a feature hosted here at my blog in which I present you with selected passages or quotes that I deem Noteworthy from a book I've just reviewed. My hopes are of course, that these passages will make you want to pick the book up and read it. This feature was started and created by me in January in hopes of making my blog more unique. That being said, I would like to kindly request that you do not use this feature as it was intended to be for my blog only and is not a meme. If you see some one else using it, please know it is without my permission. Thank you.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Synopsis via GoodreadsSeventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life—and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

This remarkable debut is perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Francesca Lia Block. Just as much a celebration of love as it is a portrait of loss, Lennie's struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often hilarious, and ultimately unforgettable.

ReviewThe Sky is Every Where is a lovely, heartfelt story from debut YA author, Jandy Nelson. There are a lot of grief books floating around out there; however, The Sky is Every Where takes the proverbial cake and presents itself in such a refreshing way that allows it to truly hold it's own ground.

Lennie is one of the most raw and honest heroines I've come across and I found it very easy to connect with her. Lennie's emotions and confusion concerning the new path her life was taking were so real and palpable that I too would feel torn, happy, or angry when she would. Sure, she made some wrong decisions along the way but she was always aware of when she messed up and wanted to do better. She also had a great dry sense of humor that was a very welcome personality trait as it helped prevent the story from being overwhelmingly heavy. The Sky is Every Where also had a terrific cast of distinct supporting characters. Joe was the perfect romantic interest and I can definitely see where the attraction to him was. He's funny, talented, and infinitely charming. Joe, however, was not without some small flaws which helped keep him believable so as not to come off as that too-good-to-be-true kinda guy. Then we have Toby and I'll confess, I was not very fond of him at first. As the story progressed though, I grew to understand him better and found myself liking him by the end. Gram and Big, Lennie's grandmother and uncle, were both humorous, colorful characters that really spiced up the story, as was Lennie's best friend Sarah.

The Sky is Every Where was very keenly and expertly plotted. Nelson incorporated such a satisfying, consistent, and powerful balance of grief, romance, and family. Each of these aspects flowed seamlessly together, forming a well paced and engaging story.

Nelson's writing style was very beautifully wrought and lyrically crafted. There was something so genuine about it and Nelson also managed to have the perfect amount of humor weaved in, which really helped balance the story out. Also, I loved coming across the random notes that Lennie had written and left in all sorts of odd locations. They really added that little something extra to the writing as well as to the plot.

The thing I loved about the ending of The Sky is Every Where was getting to see how far the characters had come and grown since the beginning, especially Lennie. I don't know that I would go quite so far as to say I loved the ending, but I did really like it and thought it tied things up nicely.

All in all, The Sky is Every Where is a prime example of how books about grief should be written. The story was very compelling and I found I really enjoyed it, and its characters, with my heart both sinking and rising at times, as though I were on a roller coaster. This really was a stunning debut and I would highly recommend it to anyone out there. I know I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of Jandy Nelson's work.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Hi there everyone! Today's date is 1/11/11 which means the YA book, Across the Universe, by the awesome Beth Revis is releasing today! In honor of Across the Universe's book birthday, I have a super fun interview I did with Beth to share with you all.

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TBP: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

BR: I'm just your average, every day kind of girl. Today, I stacked up firewood at my house. Yesterday, I packed up copies of books and swag for the contest I'm hosting for December on my blog. The day before that, I turned in my draft of Book 2 in my series to my editor (which is a little surreal to say). A year ago, I had just signed with my agent and didn't have a book deal...now my book, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, is coming out and I'm amazed at how awesome and terrifying that is at the same time.

TBP: Describe your upcoming YA book, Across the Universe, in nine words. (This can be a whole sentence or broken up into individual words.)

BR: A murder mystery set in space, with some kissing.

TBP: What inspired you to write Across the Universe?

BR: It all came about based on the twist at the end. I knew how the end of the novel would be--the plot, the characters, the setting all came to make that ending happen in a realistic way.

TBP: Are you currently working on any other books at this time?

BR: Just finished Book 2! Across the Universe is a trilogy, so I'm going to be starting on Book 3 soonish...

TBP: If you could share a name with any one of the planets in our Solar System, which would it be and why? (Don't you dare say Uranus. :P)

BR: Uranus! HAHAHA no, just kidding. I think probably... Jupiter. I just love the way that sounds. Mars is a close second, though--being named after the God of War and all. But if we're going with ANY astrological body, just call me Luna :) (Yes, Luna is the perfect name, is it not? Especially for a hamster or cat, right Beth? ;) )

TBP: If you were to discover a new planet/comet/etc roaming about in space, what would you name it?

BR: I would probably be very selfish and name it after myself. Then, knowing my luck, the Dread Comet Beth would smack into Earth and bring on the apocalypse. *sigh*

TBP: Which of the four elements, Earth, Wind, Fire, or Water, would you most love to possess the powers of?

BR: This is something I have actually seriously thought about, because I love AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER and I am a giant nerd. If it was a time of war, I think I'd pick Fire--that's by far the best fighting element. Otherwise, I think it'd be a tie between Water and Air--if Water elements enabled me to breathe underwater, I'd probably pick that, but if Air elements allowed me to fly, that'd be how I went.

TBP: Aside from Sailor Moon, who is your next favorite of all the Sailor Scouts? Least favorite?BR: I LOVE SAILOR MOON SO HARD. So she is definitely my favorite. After her... probably Pluto or Saturn. (Seen left) They seemed so mysterious, as if they had really interesting stories behind them, and I wish I could know more of their stories. Least favorite? Probably Neptune. She seemed like a pretty-girl goody-goody to me. (OMG yes, Pluto and Saturn rocked! And Neptune, well Neptune was a seriously stuck-up, goody-goody bitch. XD)

TBP: If the world ended tomorrow, what would your last meal be comprised of?

BR: Pasta. SO MUCH PASTA.(Excellent choice!)

TBP: If you could meet and talk with any astronaut, astronomer, etc of past or present, who would it be and why?

BR: Yuri Gagarin, first cosmonaut in space--I'd love to know what he felt like as he looked down on Earth. It would also be pretty awesome to speak to Galileo, and ask if he thought his scientific studies and heliocentric theories were worth the punishment he received from the Church.

TBP: How much do you believe in the study of astrology?

BR: Very very very very very little. I believe in fate and destiny, I just don't believe they come from the stars. (Agreed!)

TBP: Anything else you'd like to add before you go?

BR: In the name of the moon! :)

Thanks for interviewing me!

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Ok this interview was so totally awesome! THANK YOU Beth for letting me do this interview with you, it was tons of fun.

Once again, like Courtney, me and Beth are total Sailor Moon (An awesome anime and manga series) soulmate fanatics and I just couldn't pass the chance to bring that shared interest into the interview. I hope you all enjoyed reading this interview! And remember, today is Across the Universe's book birthday so be sure to tell Beth congrats!